Providence Health System was established by the Sisters of Providence, a community of Roman Catholicsisters founded in Montreal, Quebec by Mother Émilie Gamelin in 1843. In 1856, Mother Joseph and four sisters came to Vancouver, Washington to serve the native people and settlers. In 1859, the Sisters incorporated their work, creating the network of health care services known as Providence Health & Services. In 1891, they founded St. Elizabeth Hospital, the Pacific Northwest's first permanent hospital. The sisters later established several schools and hospitals in Washington, Montana, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, and California. Providence Health System was managed by the Sisters of Providence until 1979 when a secular president was appointed. In 2003, Health Management Associates purchased the Providence Health System properties in Central Washington including Providence Yakima Medical Center and Toppenish Hospital. In 2012, Providence acquired Swedish Health Services in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Rod Hochman, CEO of Swedish Medical Center was hired by Providence Health & Services when Providence affiliated with Swedish in 2012. In April 2013, Dr. Hochman became the president and CEO of Providence. In 2014, Providence entered in an affiliation with Pacific Medical Centers. PacMed joined Swedish as part of Providence's Western HealthConnect division. The Providence Medical Group operates more than 250 clinics in neighborhoods throughout Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Providence Medical Group is part of Providence Health & Services. Providence Medical Group employs more than 1,600 physicians offering expertise in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, dermatology and other specialties. Providence Health & Services provides outpatient services, transitional care, home and hospice care, substance abuse programs, mental health treatment, prevention and wellness programs, long-term care, and assisted living and housing. Providence Health Plan provides or administers health coverage to more than 375,000 members nationwide.
The company has a program in place designed to reduce the amount of food scraps that it sends to landfills. The program focuses on more accurate food purchasing and preparation practices, composting food scraps and donating edible food to nonprofits. Providence requires the chefs throughout its system to use centrally developed recipes and portion sizes that are designed to reduce waste and improve the nutritional value of the food served. In 2016, the company said, its program helped divert 204 tons of food waste from the landfill.
Controversies
Providence Health System obtained more than half of a billion in government funds which were intended to prevent health care providers from going under during the coronavirus pandemic. By that time, Providence Health System had nearly $12 billion in cash. Through investments with that fund, it generated approximately $1 billion in profits per year. In 2018, Providence paid its chief executive, Rod Hochman, more than $10 million.
